After 12 years in London, Turin to host ATP Finals from 2021

Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour World Championship is the second most important men’s tennis tournament after the four Grand Slams. It began in 1970 but was known as Masters Grand Prix back then. The first ever ATP Tour Finals was held in Tokyo, Japan.

Since then, a number of different cities and countries have hosted the ATP Finals (including Madison Square Garden in New York from 1977 to 1989) before finally settling down at The O2 in London in 2009. But after a 12-year run, ATP Finals have finally decided to shift its location from London to Turin. The city will host this prestigious men’s event from 2021 to 2025.

In the last few years, O2 has come under the limelight for a number of events being held at the event – concerts, sporting events, and festivals. This can also be credited to the commitment and stellar performances delivered by the players participating in tournaments.

In 2018, the news came that the change in location for ATP Finals was underway. Manchester, Singapore, and Tokyo were all considered as contenders but it was decided that a clean break and a new place would be best to avoid direct comparisons with London.

ATP Finals Cup (Photo Courtesy – Instagram/kladionica_sport_plus)

This is not the first time Turin will play host to prestigious events – Turin hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006 and is also home to two Serie A football teams, Juventus FC and Torino FC – but it will be the first time to host to the ATP Finals.

“It’s still a few years away but I know that the players will be very excited to compete there, and I also hope to be part of what will be a very special event,” said the top-ranked Novak Djokovic, the president of the ATP Player Council.

Even the NBA has recently shifted its base to Paris after spending a decade in the UK.